Punchestown will stage an all hurdles and bumper card on Wednesday
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Punchestown Gold Cup to be run on Saturday
THE tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup will now be run at 4.25pm on Saturday after the two races scheduled to be staged over fences at the track on Wednesday were abandoned.
Punchestown will stage an all hurdles and bumper card on the second afternoon of its annual festival after 15mm of rain on Wednesday left parts of the already soaked chase track waterlogged.
Winds that gusted over 90kph had left the card vulnerable but the gales have died down sufficiently for racing to take place, albeit in reduced form and with some temporary facilities closed.
Punchestown spokeswoman Shona Dreaper said: "The chase course is waterlogged in places. The drainage here is very good but we just aren't getting a break from the weather.
"We've therefore decided to abandon the chases and stage an all hurdles and bumper card. The Gold Cup will be staged on Saturday at 4.25pm."
Wednesday afternoon's running order has been changed to:
4.55pm (from 3.40pm) Martinstown Series Final
5.30pm (from 4.20pm) Louis Fitzgerald Hurdle
6.05pm (from 4.55pm) Irish Daily Mirror War Of Attrition Novices' Hurdle
6.40pm (from 6.05pm) Betchronicle.com Champion INH Flat Race
7.15pm The At The Races Flat Race
Thursday's card is vulnerable with more rain forecast. An inspection will be held at 8am.
Comments